It’s been a while since I posted a blog entry. I am the world’s best procrastinator, and without the help of a beer or two the enthusiasm hasn’t always been there. Lately I’ve been pouring almost all of my energy into painting. You wouldn’t know it from viewing my sites, but I’ve been busy creating sketchbook paintings. I’ve completed about seventy pieces and they’ve been either drying or quietly collecting dust. I will upload these to my sketchbook page for the world to see in the coming days. I’ve had a lot of fun making them because I’ve been painting for myself — with total freedom, not trying to paint around what others want or what I think people expect. I’ve moved away from the large canvases and opted for high-quality mixed media paper, and I’ve finally replaced the student-grade acrylics with rich, high-pigment paints. Don’t ask me how much this has hurt the bank, but it’s been worth every penny. I’ve switched to Amsterdam acrylics and they are a joy to use, albeit costly. If you could see my work area now you’d swear you were standing in a small art supply store.
I have bought over 200 brushes. I got into the habit of purchasing a couple of packets of brushes every time I made the trip to Officeworks, which was at least twice a week. I am over this obsession, so I thought I would start experimenting with oil pastels. Big mistake — they are costly and extremely hard to use and store. I did a simple piece over a week ago, stored it in my heat-ridden shed, and the marks are as wet as the first day I applied them. Today has been a warm day and my beloved acrylics have been drying in under a minute. This is how I prefer to work. No more oil pastels for me; I might as well start buying tubes of oil paint, which won’t happen any time soon. I have also made the trip to all the major outlets that supply art products and raided their pastel supply. I have over 40 packets and they should last me until I’m an old man. Don’t mistake these for the true oil pastels I just dissed — these are smaller, cheaper and fun to use. They also dry overnight. I don’t do things in half measures when it comes to art. I don’t even look at the price; if I want it, I throw it into my basket along with all of the remaining products the store has to offer.
As I said, the paintings on my A2 board and sketchpad have been created to soothe my artistic, emotional and relevant urges. It’s great fun, and I can work however I please. These paintings and sketches won’t be for everyone, but I’m genuinely proud of the work I have produced — a feeling I haven’t been able to claim for some time. There will be plenty of opportunity later to start selling pieces and to put paint to canvas in a more public way… just not for the foreseeable future.